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The Team

Since opening for business in 2002, we have taken on hundreds of design projects. Our clients span all sectors and, while we’re based in Northern Ireland, we have an international reach – technology has opened up the way we can share our creativity and expertise.

We don’t employ junior designers. We have the same complement of skilled, qualified staff that we began with and we’re very proud of that. What’s more, as our client, you will always be able to speak directly to the designer working on your project.

We can boast an impressive set of talents and are accredited by the Chartered Society of Designers. Partner Martin Barlow is our Design Manager. He is a first class creative thinker with over twenty years design experience and an active member of the CSD. He is also a cartoonist of renown and his work has graced many campaigns. Working alongside Martin in the studio, Damian McCann is an exceptionally talented and inventive designer with impressive communication skills and a passion for design for digital projects, including websites and other digital marketing assets. Partner Simon Bruce is the key contact for project management. A member of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management with nearly thirty years experience in the graphic design and printing industry, Simon has unrivalled experience of design project management, quality assurance and client liaison – all delivered with his trademark enthusiasm and professionalism.

We are fully kitted up with the latest technology – hardware and software. Our project methodology, quality assurance procedures and processes for adding value have been refined through our long experience, project by project.

Don’t let Simon Bruce’s highly-patterned (some might say garish) tailored shirts fool you – he’s a serious, consummate professional with over *100 years experience of managing design and production projects. A member of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management, Simon brings an infectious enthusiasm and a wealth of knowledge to any project and will be your primary contact within 2b:creative.

A rugby man to the core, his long winter months are spent following the Ulster and Ireland teams, however Simon’s guilty pleasure is that he is also a lifelong supporter of Tottenham Hotspur, one of the Premiership’s perfectly adequate and frequently under-achieving football teams.

Despite Senior Designer Martin Barlow’s worryingly obsessive relationship with his iPad, this lightly-tattooed ex-biker’s design philosophy is that all great work begins with a pencil and a blank piece of paper. In fact, Martin is never happier than when he is creating cartoons and illustrated stories for the younger members of his family.

“My dream job would be to design and brand a pro cycling team – I have four bikes in the shed myself, but my wife keeps threatening to sell them”, Martin says. Goodness only knows what she thinks about his collection of 200+ Marvel figures and his Star Wars Lego.

Senior Designer Damian McCann is a paradox. A rugged outdoorsman perfectly at home holidaying in a tent under a hedge like some kind of Bear Grylls, Damian also has to be within arm’s reach of his Xbox and whatever latest gadget the evil forces of technology have compelled him to purchase. A supremely talented designer and coffee enthusiast, Damian has a particular interest in new things, particularly if they are logical, although he has been known to have clients walking barefoot through their place of work in search of that elusive perfect photo opportunity. We forget why.

Our in-house gourmand, Damian is keen to try the cuisine of as many nations as possible. He’s particularly fond of Indian food. Did we mention he loves coffee? Fresh pot!

For our eleventh year of supporting Concern at Christmas, on behalf of our customers we are funding the school fees for 20 children in African villages, where education is a gift that lasts a lifetime and will provide the opportunities necessary to break the cycle of poverty.

Thanks to your support by entrusting us with your business, our total donations to nominated charities this year is £5348.

We would like to thank all our valued clients and suppliers for their support and we wish you a happy and prosperous 2018.

The studio will be closed for the seasonal holidays from Friday 22nd December, we will be back again on Wednesday 3rd January. We are looking forward to working with all of you again next year! ... See MoreSee Less

Testimonials

2b:creative would rate excellently in terms of their professionalism and ease to work with and I felt that their commitment to customer satisfaction and meeting AIT’s requirements was well above what would be considered standard between a company and their client, based on previous experience with design companies.